Share the passion

Support a team

It is highly likely that your child will support a professional club side irrespective of whether they play football themselves. So ask them about their team, take an interest in the results – share the success and commiserate in the disappointments. If you don't already, you might want to consider supporting their favourite team yourself – be prepared to make the commitment though; supporting a team is for life and no self-respecting fan will tolerate anything other than total devotion to a team!

You can always support a rival team – It can spice things up and be great for a bit of family banter, but don't forget that passions can run high!

TV football

There's so much football on TV so why not take a bit of time out and watch some matches with your kids? BBC's Match of the Day is an ongoing favourite when it comes to highlights of games and gives you a good knowledge of what's happening with the top clubs in England. Scotland, Wales and Ireland all have their own highlights programmes. When you throw in ITV's coverage and the likes of SKY you'll find no shortage of options.

Get their mates round

If you don't fancy watching the televised games, encourage them to invite mates round to watch a live game on TV. When big games are played, you can go one better – invite all the parents as well and get the barbeque going or get a takeaway in. Nothing beats actually being there, but if you can't, do the next best thing and watch it in a group. Dads love all of this too!

Take them to a game

You never forget going to your first game and nothing comes close to the atmosphere of being there. Often, it isn't easy to get tickets for the UK's biggest clubs, but there should be enough opportunities to get to a game. Click here for details of international games.

'Jumpers for goalposts'

It's as true now as it ever was. The beauty of football is that you only need a ball; you can easily improvise the rest.

A new ball can be easily purchased at a variety of retail outlets for just a few £'s.

Make sure that you get a ball that is the right size for your child. Applying commonsense will be sufficient, but the recommended sizes for age groups are as follows:

• Size 3 – Age 6-9
• Size 4 – Age 9 - 14
• Size 5 – Age 14/15+
• Size 1 and Size 2 balls are also commonly available. These small sizes are suitable for very small children or can be used by older children to enhance their skills.

You'll find football mad kids love getting their hands on a new football!

As soon as they've got a ball they're away! A new football and a bit of their imagination and they are suddenly the greatest player in the world.

Football in the garden

Kids will play football anywhere, so encourage them to play in the garden. It's amazing what they can do on their own with a bit of grass to play on or even just a good old wall to kick a ball against. They can practice shooting, heading, passing, ball skills……….and you know where they are. Be prepared for and tolerate a bit of wear and tear in the garden – it will be worth it.

Get a mini goal

If you've got a big enough garden, mini-goals are great and are available quite cheaply. These come in a variety of sizes from, say, 2m x 1m and kids love them. You can't beat the thrill of scoring a goal! (Dads also like these goals as it helps to show off their skills (ahem) and re-enact the 'wonder goal' that they scored aged 15). You can also join in, but you might find you'll spend a lot of time being the goalkeeper!

Don't forget that your child probably has a kick around at school every day - the tennis ball in the playground is just as popular now as it's always been. Encourage your child to take a ball to school and ask them if they've played that day; they are more likely to tell you the score of their playground match than what they've done in the classroom.

Football computer games

Take them on at their favourite games. As much as we would like them to be outside, all kids seem addicted to computer games and if you can't beat them, at least join them in a match.........but be prepared to take almost certain defeat on the chin.

The football media

Make the most of it – football is everywhere so buy them a magazine occasionally or maybe a pack of the football stickers that are on sale each season or the Corinthian football figures. With books and games the list is endless; however the important thing is that many of the items available are inexpensive.

Birthday parties

Football themed parties can be easily arranged. Ideas for parties for young and older children can be obtained by clicking here.

Bedroom decoration

From a few pictures of their favourite players to a fully co-ordinated duvet, curtains and wallpaper combination, there is plenty of scope to help the football mad youngster decorate their bedroom to their own particular taste.

Holiday soccer schools

These are very popular and run during school holidays. They are generally aimed at the younger players and you are likely to find a course near to where you live. An internet search should point you in the right direction.

Respect guide for parents

This is a very useful introduction on how to be a good footy parent. Visit the FA's website (www.thefa.com/respectguide/) and you can take part. On successful completion of the course (it only takes a few minutes, and it's free) you can download a certificate to prove the point – that should impress the kids!